Tuesday, 6 May 2014

Sunny, Lazy Garden Day

First thing Monday morning. Up early but not dressed till ten. Pottering around the garden in my dressing gown, blinking in the morning sun, frightening the neighbours. Noticing that, seemingly overnight, we have blossom on the apple tree.

And the magnolia is in full bloom, it's petals so big and wobbly it's a wonder they stay up at all.

Back inside for breakfast (blueberry pancakes with fruit, all swimming in maple syrup), which I took ages to make and eat while I pottered around, drinking a second cup of coffee. A delicious, lazy breakfast.

Once dressed, we all set off to the garden centre, along with the rest of West Yorkshire. There are no sweet peas left (I am too late, the nice man sadly informed me) so I buy a small lavender, some fuschias and geraniums, and some tomato plants.

I spend the afternoon in the garden, planting and potting on, moving and tidying. Hours pass. While my back is turned Bella picks a posy and puts it in a small plastic jar filled with soapy water (hence the bubbles). I am at once annoyed with her for picking the bluebells (and picking them so close to the flower, with no stem! Every time...) and proud of her styling skills.

Then it's time to wander around drinking a cup of tea, examining and surveying.

Everything is warming up and growing. There is less brown and more green in the flower beds, things are happening!

Just look at this alluim, right on the cusp of flowering. I was so dazzled by them last year that I went a bit mad and planted them all over the garden last autumn. In a couple of weeks, there will be a lot of fuzzy purple globe-shaped flowers in our garden.

Ah, bank holidays. There is a good chance that, if you're in the suburbs on a sunny long weekend, you'll hear the hum of lawnmowers. The buzz of hedge trimmers, the tap of a hammer, birds singing, someone's radio on. The occasional plane flying overhead. If you're really lucky the sun will stay out and later on in the day those noises will be replaced with the smell of barbecues lighting up. Gardening on a bank holiday weekend, that great British pastime.

41 comments:

I love Bank Holidays and yours sounds like perfect bliss. I love your magnolias and wish I had space for such a magnificent tree. My mum went a bit mad with allium, too but they are amazing, I agree. Bella's posy is beautiful, I can see she has her mothers gift for arranging all things nice. I hope there are some blue bells left!

Lovely spring garden photos, especially that magnolia, which is such an unusual colour. Your breakfast certainly looks yummy and I never cook breakfast, just oats and toast for me and a strong cup of tea. Must be age creeping on,(lol) or just lazy old me. Take care.

What a perfectly lovely day, Gillian, and thank you for sharing your beautiful garden with us! It seems to me that most kids have a habit of picking the flowers too short - I wonder why that is! Never mind, they do look lovely in the little jar, even with the froth, bless Bella's little heart! Joy xo

Lovely - looks like all we'll have when we're over next weekend is rain! England…I had to laugh - lawnmowers on a bank holiday is very very English - you're not allowed to use a lawnmower (or other noisy machine!) on Sundays and holidays here :o

That's how I love to spend a bank holiday morning too! There's something wonderful about wandering around the garden in your dressing gown, isn't there? Especially when paired with wellies. We did pancakes as well this weekend. They tend to be the celebratory breakfast of choice.Those magnolias are a lovely colour - and you'll have lots of beautiful seed heads come autumn from your alliums. Glad you're enjoying May. PS If the garden centre you speak of is Riggs near Todmorden, it's my favourite. If not, go along - it's not too 'lifestyle' and their prices are good!Sarah x

Never mind all the noise of a weekend in the suburbs - out here in the country it is just as bad - strimmers strimming, mowers mowing, bonfires smoking you out, tractors trundling back and forth - peace and quiet of the countryside - bah! Your weekend sounded idyllic though and the pancakes look so yummy.

Your garden looks wonderful & it sounds like you had a wonderful day., there is something so evocative about relaxing & taking your time on a bank holiday morning. I hate to tear myself away & go visiting.

Lovely photos Gillian, especially the allium - I love that fat, just about to burst stage of a flower bud. Your magnolia is beautiful, down here in Kent the magnolias are finishing. Sounds like you had a lovely day and enjoy the rest of the week.Jane x

Lavender is on my list to buy this year - I used to have enough plants to harvest for sachet bags, but need to restock. And the purple alliums in my garden are looking good - about 2 weeks until they bloom though. They are so interesting to admire. And lawn mowing has started here also - and as I've been taking my walks, I been thinking about how it is such a suburban act - keeping the grass nice and trim. All those Jones'.

What a lovely BH was had by you... and those blueberry pancakes are mouth-watering. Lovely to see your garden starting to bloom - the English countryside is simply beautiful in spring time, isn't it.xx

It sounds like a perfect day in the garden to me!! What a wonderful way to pass the time. You might still get some sweet peas if you go back to the garden centre as they will have restocked. I love Bella's little posy of flowers, she has great taste - like her Mum! xx

beautiful pictures, and a lovely bank holiday post. I too do the up early but dressed late. Love lazy pyjama clad mornings, and especially the pancakes and maple syrup - a favourite weekend breakfast here too!

I've just caught up with all your posts from over the past couple of weeks.Wow your what do you do all day post certainly sparked off some conversation! It's a topic which would get the guests on Woman's Hour talking too!Lovely to see the return of your weekly happies and all the wonderful family things you've been up to.We forked out a small fortune for inflatable slide rides over a bank holiday too!I am loving the look of your breakfast, the maple syrup and porridge and strawberries combo is mouthwatering.Saltaire is definitely on my to visit list when I finally make it northwards.Lisa x